The Chilean Army has handed over 4.2 hectares of unused public land belonging to the Infantry Regiment N°1 Buin to construct social housing in the Recoleta district.
This initiative is part of the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism’s Housing Emergency Plan (PHE) to address the country’s housing deficit.
The land transfer ceremony, led by President Gabriel Boric, took place on June 22 and was attended by various government officials, including the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and the Minister of National Assets.
This transfer is the outcome of ongoing dialogue between the Ministry of National Assets and the Armed Forces, resulting in the transfer of twelve plots of land nationwide totaling 4,086 hectares for housing and other social purposes.
The Ministry of National Assets, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, identified public properties that were unused or underutilized and could be made available for public interest projects, particularly the Emergency Housing Plan and the public land bank.
On May 31, the Exempt Decree 142 was signed, officially designating the 4.2-hectare area for social housing. The land will be transferred to Serviu Metropolitano to construct the social housing project.
President Boric emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the housing deficit and highlighted the importance of the 4.2-hectare land in a settled commune where land availability is scarce.
The transfer of additional properties throughout Chile is currently being managed, with plans to bring joy to more families.
The government aims to achieve a fairer and more democratic management of Chilean land.
The Chilean Army is working on the material restitution of the disused land, including constructing a separation wall with the unit and the clearance of the excluded area.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is in the process of defining the specific project type, which will accommodate housing for 1,500 to 2,400 families.
The Ministry of National Defense and the Army have also transferred land in Punta Arenas, Los Ríos Region, and Peñaflor, with plans to transfer land in Valdivia.
Discussions are ongoing with other branches of the armed forces and the Navy for the transfer of additional unused land in various locations.
Overall, this initiative aims to create not just housing but complete neighborhoods, utilizing well-located urban land to ensure connectivity and access to services for the benefit of the communities involved.